Qld Police Commissioner promises to roll out Segway squads across the state

By Alyse EdwardsUpdated
Fri 10 Jan 2014, 8:21 AM AEDT

Photo

Police on Segway patrol at South Bank in Brisbane.

ABC News - file image

Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart says Segways could be rolled out to patrolling officers in many parts of the state by the end of the year.

He says the two-wheeled devices will make Queensland safer and easier to patrol.

Yesterday the police Segway trial was extended to Noosa Heads on the Sunshine Coast.

Segways are already being used in Brisbane, and Cairns in the state's far north.

Mr Stewart says the each Segway costs more than $12,000 and the program will be rolled out to areas of greatest priority.

"I see the trial being extended both in time and location to include places like Maroochydore, Mooloolaba shorefronts and ultimately the Gold Coast," he said.

"Townsville Esplanade is another one, places like that where long, flat areas with boardwalks or pathways to allow our police to move around very quickly without exhausting themselves throughout the day.

Mr Stewart says Segways can even be used off-road on sandy tracks.

"This is about police using Segways as a platform to give us greater height above crowds so that our ability to survey incidents is enhanced.

"It also gives us a greater presence so people can see us from further away.

"They've very well marked and certainly identified rapidly as being on-duty police."